Advertising device



Jam-4, 1938. .1. R. BURCHAM ADVERTISING DEVICE .Filed Aug. 27, 1937 2 Sheets-.Sheet 1 ATTRNEYs Jan, 4, 1938. l J. R. BURCHAM ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Aug. 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 4, 1938 PATENT OFFICE Application August 27,

3 Claims.

My invention relates to advertising devices and has for one of its primary objects the provision of a device in the form of a sphere adapted for rotation over a desired course and equipped with means for maintaining a simulated source of power on the outer face thereof at all times during the operation of the device.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the invention.

Figure i is a sectional view taken on the line li-i of Figure 3.

In practicing my invention I employ a hollow body in the form of a sphere 5, preferably formed of sheet metal, fashioned with connected side sections 6. The side sections 6 are connected together on the inner faces thereof by a circumferentially extending band l, suitable rivets being employed to connect the sections to said band. The outer surface of the body adjacent the jointure of the side sections is formed with a circumferentially extending plane surface 5a and receives thereon a tire 8 having a tread conforming to the general contour of said body.

Extending coaxially with the horizontal axis of the body is a shaft Il having ends journaled for rotation in bearings Ill formed on the interior face of the body, suitable ball bearings II being employed to effect easy rotation of the body relative to the shaft.

The plane surface 5a defines a track I2 on the inner periphery of the body for engagement with the drive wheels of a three-wheeled tractor I3. The tractor I3 is provided on both sides thereof with telescoping sleeve members I4 pivoted together at the top ends thereof to a bracket I5 mounted on the shaft 9. The shaft 9 is of hollow construction and of a square configuration in cross section for engagement with a similar shaped bore formed in the bracket I5. The sleeve members Il?. function to permit engagement of the tractor wheels with the track I2 at all times and to maintain the shaft 9 in connected relationship with the tractor to prevent rotating movement between said shaft and said tractor.

Secured on the outer circumference of the body and in tracking engagement with the tread 1937;. Seriali- No.. 161,326

of the tire 8 is a simulated source of power in the form of an automobile I6. Said automobile is maintained in horizontal relationship with the tractor I3 by means of laterally extending arms I'I, the upper ends of the arms being secured to the automobile and the lower ends secured within the shaft 9 above the horizontal axis thereof.

The body is formed with a Vplurality of win-.

dows I8 whereby the operator of the tractor is enabled to View the desired line of travel. Suitable doors I9 are provided in the sides of the body to permit entrance therein.

FromV the foregoing, it will be apparent that upon operation of the tractor, the same will rotate the body about the shaft 9 through the medium of the driving wheels engaging the'track I2 and at the same time the automobile I6 will be' maintained in horizontal relationship with the tractor through the medium of the arms I'I connecting the same to the shaft 9.

The device when operated presents an attractive and novel appearance and suitable advertising indicia may be secured on the sides thereof or an appropriate device substituted for the automobile I6.

The revolving of the body imparts a rotating movement to the wheels of the automobile I6 and thereby simulates the effect of an automobile operating a sphere, the tractor being con-V cealed from view within the body. The body, during the course of travel, may be guided in various directions by operation of the guide wheel of the tractor which engages the track I2.

In assembling the device, the tractor is positionedv within one of the sections of the body, the other section is then connected thereto and the various parts including the tractor adjusted together in operating relationship.

While I have shown and described my invention as lending itself to advertising purposes, it is to be distinctly Vunderstood that the same may be adapted for amusement and like purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising, a spherical body, a shaft within said body extending'coaxially with the horizontal axis of said body, bearings connecting said shaft to said body whereby to permit said body to rotate relative to said shaft, a source of power connected to said shaft and engaging the inner periphery of said body to rotate the same and equipped with means engaging said periphery whereby to steer the same, and a simulated source of power engaging the outer periphery of said body and maintained in horizontal relationship with said iirst source of power whereby to simulate the appearance of rotating said body.

2. A device of the character described, comprising, a spherical body, a shaft within said body extending coaxially with the horizontal axis of said body, bearings connecting said shaft to said body whereby to permit said body to rotate relative to said shaft, a track formed on the inner periphery of said body, a source of power connected to said shaft and engaging said track in a manner to rotate said body and equipped with means engaging said track whereby to guide said body, and a simulated sourceof power engaging the outer periphery of said body and maintained in horizontal relationship with said first source of power whereby to simulate the appearance of rotating said body.

3. A device of the character described, comprising, a spherical body, a shaft within said body extending coaxially with the horizontal axis of said body, bearings connecting said shaft to said body whereby to permit said body to rotate relative to said shaft, a track formed on the inner periphery of said body, a source of power connected to said shaft and engaging said track in a manner to rotate said body and equipped with means engaging said track whereby to guide said body, a tire formed on the outer periphery of said body, and a simulated source of power engaging said tire and maintained in horizontal relationship with said rst source of power whereby to simulate the appearance of rotating said body.

JAMES R. BURCHAM. 

